Third altercation with shell car washes.

dynamicvapor · 04-28-2012, 08:56 PM

April 28, 2012

Time - 7:30PM

Location - 404 and Major Mac Shell

Vehicle: 2011 BMW 335is Coupe Le Mans Blue

Story:

First wash:
Went for a touch-less car wash. Used air miles gift certificate to redeem for a touch-less ultimate plus car wash. Received said wash. Exited vehicle after wash to inspect vehicle, noticed that the vehicle body was still pretty dirty. Requested an additional car wash, received the same wash.

Second wash:
Entered wash, and parked like always. Upon the hub scrub cycle, i was curious to see if the hub scrub actually washes my wheels, to my surprise the hub scrub proceeded to wash my rear bumper and not my wheel. Intuitively at this point I knew my paint was going to be damaged and there was nothing I could do but watch in pain. After the wash, I got out to inspect the area. There was a crap load of swirls and apparent scratches to the rear bumper, which were not there before. At this point I spoke with the attendant and he told me the manager will be in on Monday and to take pictures and document the area's that were damaged. I took some pictures with my cell phone and went to the wash bay to see if others were recieving the same problem of mis-aligned hub scruber. Theirs' had no problem with the machine so it was just me. I requested an additional wash to be able to record this happening with my vehicle which it did.

Third wash:
I cam prepared with the cell phone camera rolling this time. I leaned out the window to take the video below. Pretty much self explanatory.

Damages:

My vehicle:

What's suppose to do:
[u2b]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oqoKfuE9y0&feature=youtu.be[/U2B[/video]

Low res images (cell phone camera) hosted on imageshack.us, taken at shell under sunlight:

High def DSLR images:

View post on imgur.com

Resolution:

Will be filing an insurance claim under shell with the manager on Monday. Someone had their mirror damaged by the same location and received a payout within two weeks.

Estimated damages: $500-$1000

iconfat · 04-28-2012, 09:04 PM

Ouch. That's shitty!
This is why I only go to touch less car washes. And even then I try to limit those.

tcharged · 04-28-2012, 11:36 PM

Why not just wash your own car by hand? I do that, doesn't take that long either

surendrant · 04-29-2012, 12:40 AM

Agh that's terrible man!! Hopefully they pay you out without giving you grief

bulldog_yyc · 04-29-2012, 03:19 AM

damn that sucks bro - best of luck getting it resolved

johnniewalker · 04-29-2012, 03:40 AM

Man, i live 2 minutes from that gas station, but i choose to drive all the way to the coin wash at markham road and 16th avenue.

Saturns · 04-29-2012, 09:10 AM

I too live 5 mins from that shell. I never go to automatics unless its touchless but thats rare. Coin hand wash yourself keeps your car safe and much cleaner.
I also go to the wash north of 16th and markham rd. or I go to Shell south of hwy 7 and kennedy. I use the hand wash side as it is indoors and just do it quick but thorough washing as it is by the minute. I spend anywhere between $5-8 per wash depending how fast I am.

TheZodiac · 04-29-2012, 09:24 AM

Esso has the best touchless.

99three · 04-29-2012, 10:36 AM

I'll never enter any automated car wash! You can mitigate this from happening, just wash it yourself and you'll avoid the headaches. If you really don't have the time get it hand washed by a detailing shop. BTW-Those images don't prove that it happened at their CW.

e90-328i · 04-29-2012, 11:38 AM

I really don't know why people take a 60 thousand dollar car through a car wash especially the non touch-less. And then rant about it. That brush spinning against the wheel, a SOS pad is probably softer! I would drive my car dirty than go through one of those.
Sorry to hear but it had been discussed many times before car washes are bad news if you love your car

nitehawk · 04-29-2012, 07:46 PM

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, hope you get it all sorted out. But I have to agree with what everyoneis saying. Hand wash, fully touchless or pro detailing is the way to go...

Andy M · 04-29-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, hope you get it all sorted out. But I have to agree with what everyoneis saying. Hand wash, fully touchless or pro detailing is the way to go...

Or do what I did and cover the whole damn car in 3M clear bra!!!

But regardless if you need to use an automated one, the Shell wash at Hwy 7 and Woodbine is pretty good.

BMdblU · 04-29-2012, 09:05 PM

Big surprise. Simple, only go to touch less washes. And or wash by hand when possible

nitehawk · 04-29-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy M

Or do what I did and cover the whole damn car in 3M clear bra!!!

Seriously?! That must have cost a pretty penny, unless you did it yourself?

MattGrantham · 04-29-2012, 10:02 PM

Good job on documenting everything, no arguing with the video.

$500 - $1000 seems almost absurdly high for the damages though. A respray shouldn't cost more than $350 max.

Sleeper · 04-30-2012, 08:27 AM

^Plus shop labour to R&R the rear bumper. At shop rates, getting to $500+ isn't that much of a challenge.

LOL at taking it through the SOS Pad car wash though. Good work.

335BBS · 04-30-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynamicvapor

April 28, 2012

Time - 7:30PM

Location - 404 and Major Mac Shell

Vehicle: 2011 BMW 335is Coupe Le Mans Blue

Story:

First wash:
Went for a touch-less car wash. Used air miles gift certificate to redeem for a touch-less ultimate plus car wash. Received said wash. Exited vehicle after wash to inspect vehicle, noticed that the vehicle body was still pretty dirty. Requested an additional car wash, received the same wash.

Second wash:
Entered wash, and parked like always. Upon the hub scrub cycle, i was curious to see if the hub scrub actually washes my wheels, to my surprise the hub scrub proceeded to wash my rear bumper and not my wheel. Intuitively at this point I knew my paint was going to be damaged and there was nothing I could do but watch in pain. After the wash, I got out to inspect the area. There was a crap load of swirls and apparent scratches to the rear bumper, which were not there before. At this point I spoke with the attendant and he told me the manager will be in on Monday and to take pictures and document the area's that were damaged. I took some pictures with my cell phone and went to the wash bay to see if others were recieving the same problem of mis-aligned hub scruber. Theirs' had no problem with the machine so it was just me. I requested an additional wash to be able to record this happening with my vehicle which it did.

Third wash:
I cam prepared with the cell phone camera rolling this time. I leaned out the window to take the video below. Pretty much self explanatory.

Damages:

My vehicle:

What's suppose to do:
[u2b]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oqoKfuE9y0&feature=youtu.be[/U2B[/video]

Low res images (cell phone camera) hosted on imageshack.us, taken at shell under sunlight:

High def DSLR images:

View post on imgur.com

Resolution:

Will be filing an insurance claim under shell with the manager on Monday. Someone had their mirror damaged by the same location and received a payout within two weeks.

Estimated damages: $500-$1000

Your entire car will have those marks on it from taking it through that wash. The misaligned wheel wash thing just makes that part look worse. Those things are evil. Anyone that cares about their car avoids those auto washes.

Andy M · 04-30-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Seriously?! That must have cost a pretty penny, unless you did it yourself?

I did it myself.

Still have to fix up some bubbles in it though but that's the tradeoff I guess (using the syringe method).

Anyway back on topic, OP's damage doesn't look too bad and I think a good detailer will be able to get rid of it easily. It looks like it just marred the clear coat so a good polish will make it look almost new again.

04-28-2012, 08:56 PM	#1
dynamicvapor Banned 9 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2011 Le Mans Blue 335iS Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Third altercation with shell car washes. April 28, 2012 Time - 7:30PM Location - 404 and Major Mac Shell Vehicle: 2011 BMW 335is Coupe Le Mans Blue Story: First wash: Went for a touch-less car wash. Used air miles gift certificate to redeem for a touch-less ultimate plus car wash. Received said wash. Exited vehicle after wash to inspect vehicle, noticed that the vehicle body was still pretty dirty. Requested an additional car wash, received the same wash. Second wash: Entered wash, and parked like always. Upon the hub scrub cycle, i was curious to see if the hub scrub actually washes my wheels, to my surprise the hub scrub proceeded to wash my rear bumper and not my wheel. Intuitively at this point I knew my paint was going to be damaged and there was nothing I could do but watch in pain. After the wash, I got out to inspect the area. There was a crap load of swirls and apparent scratches to the rear bumper, which were not there before. At this point I spoke with the attendant and he told me the manager will be in on Monday and to take pictures and document the area's that were damaged. I took some pictures with my cell phone and went to the wash bay to see if others were recieving the same problem of mis-aligned hub scruber. Theirs' had no problem with the machine so it was just me. I requested an additional wash to be able to record this happening with my vehicle which it did. Third wash: I cam prepared with the cell phone camera rolling this time. I leaned out the window to take the video below. Pretty much self explanatory. Damages: My vehicle: What's suppose to do: [u2b]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oqoKfuE9y0&feature=youtu.be[/U2B[/video] Low res images (cell phone camera) hosted on imageshack.us, taken at shell under sunlight: High def DSLR images: View post on imgur.com Resolution: Will be filing an insurance claim under shell with the manager on Monday. Someone had their mirror damaged by the same location and received a payout within two weeks. Estimated damages: $500-$1000
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04-28-2012, 09:04 PM	#2
iconfat Member 7 Rep 72 Posts Drives: '11 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Ouch. That's shitty! This is why I only go to touch less car washes. And even then I try to limit those.
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04-28-2012, 11:36 PM	#3
tcharged Banned 27 Rep 299 Posts Drives: bunch of them Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Why not just wash your own car by hand? I do that, doesn't take that long either
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04-29-2012, 12:40 AM	#4
surendrant First Lieutenant 14 Rep 337 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Scarborough, ON iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [9.00]	Agh that's terrible man!! Hopefully they pay you out without giving you grief
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04-29-2012, 03:19 AM	#5
bulldog_yyc Major General 130 Rep 5,040 Posts Drives: GT3RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: probably work iTrader: (28)	damn that sucks bro - best of luck getting it resolved
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04-29-2012, 03:40 AM	#6
johnniewalker Lieutenant 50 Rep 564 Posts Drives: 328 xdrive Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: GTA, Canada iTrader: (9)	Man, i live 2 minutes from that gas station, but i choose to drive all the way to the coin wash at markham road and 16th avenue. __________________ Performance Intake and Exhaust, Apex arc-8, KW v1, Vorshlag camber, ER brake lines, Lux V4, AA tune
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04-29-2012, 09:10 AM	#7
Saturns Lieutenant 171 Rep 401 Posts Drives: G42,570GT,Lp5704STS,F36,F34 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW m240i [10.00] 17 Mclaren 570GT [9.50] 12 Lambo Supertrofe ... [0.00] 04 Lambo Gallardo ( ... [0.00] 08 Aston Martin Van ... [0.00]	I too live 5 mins from that shell. I never go to automatics unless its touchless but thats rare. Coin hand wash yourself keeps your car safe and much cleaner. I also go to the wash north of 16th and markham rd. or I go to Shell south of hwy 7 and kennedy. I use the hand wash side as it is indoors and just do it quick but thorough washing as it is by the minute. I spend anywhere between $5-8 per wash depending how fast I am.
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04-29-2012, 09:24 AM	#8
TheZodiac New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: Boat Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Esso has the best touchless.
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04-29-2012, 10:36 AM	#9
99three Banned 25 Rep 838 Posts Drives: 993, e92, e36, F355, Z32, Jag Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: in the 416 iTrader: (3)	I'll never enter any automated car wash! You can mitigate this from happening, just wash it yourself and you'll avoid the headaches. If you really don't have the time get it hand washed by a detailing shop. BTW-Those images don't prove that it happened at their CW.
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04-29-2012, 11:38 AM	#10
e90-328i Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2011 328i RWD! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: yyz iTrader: (0)	I really don't know why people take a 60 thousand dollar car through a car wash especially the non touch-less. And then rant about it. That brush spinning against the wheel, a SOS pad is probably softer! I would drive my car dirty than go through one of those. Sorry to hear but it had been discussed many times before car washes are bad news if you love your car __________________ 2011 328i RWD Sports 6MT, BMW P/E, aFe Magnum stage 2, AA tune, P3cars gauge, LUX
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04-29-2012, 07:46 PM	#11
nitehawk Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,903 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6MT Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (15) Garage List E92 BMW 335i [9.00] E92 BMW 335i \| Retired [10.00]	Sorry to hear about your misfortune, hope you get it all sorted out. But I have to agree with what everyoneis saying. Hand wash, fully touchless or pro detailing is the way to go...
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04-29-2012, 09:05 PM	#13
BMdblU Brigadier General 152 Rep 3,983 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	Big surprise. Simple, only go to touch less washes. And or wash by hand when possible
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04-29-2012, 10:02 PM	#15
MattGrantham 2008 e93 335i 11 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Good job on documenting everything, no arguing with the video. $500 - $1000 seems almost absurdly high for the damages though. A respray shouldn't cost more than $350 max. Last edited by MattGrantham; 04-29-2012 at 10:09 PM..
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04-30-2012, 08:27 AM	#16
Sleeper . 660 Rep 1,059 Posts Drives: '23 BSM X5///MC Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North iTrader: (1)	^Plus shop labour to R&R the rear bumper. At shop rates, getting to $500+ isn't that much of a challenge. LOL at taking it through the SOS Pad car wash though. Good work.
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